
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,455
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Robotory
- 2 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2006

2009
Rules assistance for Gauss
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Gauss is a board game released in 2009 for 2 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Susumu Kawasaki and its main mechanics are Pattern Building.
A small game designed by Susumu Kawasaki. A game for two players, Gauss: The Magnetic Duel is played on a small hexagonal grid. Each player has a set fifteen tokens: ten in their color and five in the opposite color. Player take turns and each player may place one token per turn. Like the poles of a magnet, tokens of opposite color are attracted to each other whereas tokens of like color are repelled by each other. You score points if you connect 4 or more discs of your colour.
Gauss supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Gauss is 15 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Gauss for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Gauss has a complexity rating of 1.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Gauss belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Pattern Building. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Gauss are: Susumu Kawasaki. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Gauss as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.